Returning India's gesture, the President said on the occasion of the first joint sitting of Indian Parliament, he has instructed the officials to release all the 78 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody.

Sri Lankan Navy in two separate incidents on Saturday arrested 82 Indian fishermen for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary line and fishing in the country's waters.

"I look forward to the release of all remaining Sri Lankan fishermen in Indian custody at the earliest," the President said in a Twitter message today.